Reply: Book used for class is Managerial Economics and Business Strategy by Michael R. Baye & Jeffrey T. Prince. ISBN 978-1-260-94054-1 Do you think the interest on payday loans is too high or just right? Should Christians charge poor people interest on loans? Additional information: "Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you. You shall not give him your silver at interest, nor your food for gain" (Leviticus 25:35–37, NIV). Search the internet for "Microloans" or "Microcredit" and review the interest charged on these loans. I believe payday loans are one of the biggest scams in America and target the lower-income demographic specifically. The reason for the payday loan is that the interest rate is exceptionally high. Payday loans range in size from $100 to $1,000, depending on state legal maximums. The average loan term is about two weeks. Loans typically cost 400% annual interest (APR) or more. The finance charge ranges from $15 to $30 to borrow $100. For two-week loans, these finance charges result in interest rates from 390 to 780% APR. Shorter-term loans have even higher APRs. Rates are higher in states that do not cap the maximum cost ().  The reason the loans focus on the lower-income areas is that many live paycheck to paycheck. Typically, they do not have credit cards or decent credit and cannot afford a reasonable interest rate on loan from a bank. So they will create these payday loan locations and say if you have any collateral, a job, truck, ring, anything can back your loan. The interest rate is so high that it is nearly impossible to dig your way out of the loan.  These loans target individuals who have not had any money management education. The companies that pray on these families are just as bad as those that sell furniture to families as with a rent to own. Christians can not morally run a company that attacks individuals that are not educated. 2 Corinthians 11:14, And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. As for the question, should Christians charge poor people interest on loans? Yes, the question is how much? At no point should anyone do what the payday loans, microloans interest rates are, but interest is essential for all parties.  In Proverbs 22:7, The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. As a business, you should not be punished for making a reasonable profit; however, accountability is essential as the borrower. To acknowledge where your funds are going, why you need the loan, and did you do something that hindered you from financial freedom. 

Prepare a 12- to 16-slide presentation for the 2 economies assigned to your team. Except for Team A, each pair of economies has 1 very successful country and 1 not so successful country. Team A: NAFTA vs European Union (world’s 2 largest economic entities)Research each economy assigned to your Team. Compare similarities and differences between your assigned countries/economies and how their economic, political, and cultural development since 1992 has influenced their economic growth and trade competitiveness.Use tables and/or graphs to support your analysis of the following economic statistics/indicators of your 2 assigned economies through the most recent year available since 2009 (the trough of the last economic cycle). Whenever possible, plot the metric for both economies on the same chart.GDP per capita growth over timeInflation rate over timeUnemployment rate over timeExports as a % of GDP over timeNational government debt as a % of GDP Evaluate the reasons why the economic growth of the 2 economies/countries varied. Discuss how international trade influenced the strength of each economy. Discuss the role of value chains and value-added production.Analyze how the failure to use value-added trade measures distorts trade statistics. For example, Boeing and Airbus airliners, Apple iPad and iPhone production, and North American integrated auto and light truck manufacturing.Examine at least 2 industries that have provided each economy a comparative advantage in world trade.Cite at least 2 academically credible sources.